Fray Luis de León: Life, Work, and Christian Humanism
Fray Luis de León (1527-1591)
Life
Born in Belmonte in 1527, Fray Luis de León lived in Madrid from 1533. At 14, he went to Salamanca and entered the Augustinian order, studying at the university. At age 32, he was entrusted with his first chair, and performed later after two. The rivalry between the orders, especially with the Dominicans, whose prominence Fray Luis was challenging, led to an inquisitorial process in 1572. He was accused of defending the Hebrew text of the Old Testament against
Read MoreSpanish Theater: Civil War’s Impact and Postwar Evolution
Drama From the Civil War: A Theatrical Evolution
The evolution of Spanish theater was significantly shaped by the Civil War and its tragic consequences. Various artistic guidelines developed in the area, and the national Republican scene was marked by the exile of figures like Max Aub and Rafael Alberti, as well as the deaths of Federico García Lorca and Ramón del Valle-Inclán.
Postwar Theater: Nationalistic and Bourgeois
The postwar era was dominated by a national theater serving the dictatorship.
Read MoreSpanish Literature of the Early 20th Century
1. Spanish Historical Context
The nineteenth century ended with the Disaster of ’98 (Spain lost its overseas colonies—Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines—through military defeat by the U.S.). This period of tension, marked by poor living conditions and scientific and technological backwardness, prompted intellectuals to modernize Spain. This eagerness for modernization is reflected in the works of many authors. In 1902, Alfonso XIII came to power, supporting the coup of Primo de Rivera, which
Read MoreSpanish Renaissance Poetry: Themes, Forms & Major Poets
16th Century Spanish Poetry: Renaissance Influence
In the sixteenth century, considerable diversity and poetic harmony existed between traditional folk poetry and the new Renaissance poetry. Starting in the 1520s, poetry from Renaissance Italy was introduced by Garcilaso de la Vega and Juan Boscán.
Key Renaissance Themes
The sources for Renaissance poets were often Latin poetry, exploring various topics and subjects:
- Collige, virgo, rosas: Urges the young to enjoy their youth and love before time destroys
Key Movements in 20th Century Latin American Novels
Realism in Latin American Novels
This movement focused on the life difficulties within Hispanic American republics, often with a testimonial purpose. Realist novels frequently addressed the oppression of Indigenous peoples, generating indignation.
Notable authors and works include:
- Mariano Azuela
- Rómulo Gallegos: Doña Bárbara
- Ricardo Güiraldes: Don Segundo Sombra
- José Eustasio Rivera: La Vorágine (The Vortex)
- Jorge Icaza: Huasipungo
- Ciro Alegría: El mundo es ancho y ajeno (The World is Broad and
Miguel Hernández and Spanish Poetry After 1936
The Generation of ’36 and Miguel Hernández
The period from 1936-1939 saw the development of ideological propaganda literature, often lacking in literary quality. However, Miguel Hernández stands out.
Miguel Hernández (1910-1942)
He bridges the Generation of ’27 and the Generation of ’36. His work typically explores three main themes:
- The tragic sense of life
- Love
- Social commitment
His poetry utilizes both traditional verse forms and free verse. He employs symbols, including erotic (belly, pain), feminine
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